Emergency-escape device

Relatively simple inexpensive device uses reeled steel cable, is controlled by automotive-type shock absorber, and allows safe descent from burning building. Device is cheap to manufacture and assemble and requires neither skill, special knowledge, or athletic ability to operate. It is reliable and fireproof and can be deployed instantly

Optical tracking mount Patent

Tracking mount for laser telescope employed in tracking large rockets and space vehicles to give information regarding azimuth and elevatio

Structural characterization of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7)/Y(2)O(3) composite films

Using 4-circle x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy we have studied the microstructure and in-plane orientation of the phases present in thin film composite mixtures of YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7) and Y(2)O(3). We see a high degree of in-plane orientation and have verified a previous prediction for the in-plane order of Y(2)BaCuO(5) on (110) MgO. Transmission electron microscopy shows the composite films to be a mixture of two phases, with YBCO grain sizes of 1 micron. We have also compared our observations of the in-plane order to the predictions of a modified near coincidence site lattice model.Comment: To be published in Journal of Materials Research, (4 pages, 4 jpeg figures

New Tracking Filter Algorithm Using Input Parameter Estimation

A new method for the design of tracking filters for maneuvering targets, based on kinematic models and input signals estimation, is developed. The input signal\u27s level, u is considered a continuous variable and consequently the input estimation problem is posed as a purely parameter estimation problem. Moreover, the application of the new tracking filter algorithm is not contingent on distinguishing maneuvering and non-maneuvering targets, and does not require the detection of maneuver onset. The filter will automatically detect the onset of a maneuver. Furthermore, an estimate of the target\u27s acceleration is also obtained with reasonable precision. This opens the door to the employment of advanced Augmented Proportional Navigation Missile guidance laws, which require an estimate of the target\u27s state acceleration, recognizing the precision is not as good as that for position and velocity estimates. When the target dynamics and measurement are linear and input u is constant, then an unbiased estimate of u of u and of the target state is obtained, provided that an observability condition holds. It is shown that the critical observability condition holds for kinematic target motion models of interest

X-ray photoemission characterization of La_{0.67}(Ca_{x}Sr_{1-x})_{0.33}MnO_{3} films

The Curie temperature and x-ray photoemission spectra of thin films of La_{0.67}(Ca_{x}Sr_{1-x})_{0.33}MnO_{3} (LCSMO) have been studied as a function of the Ca/Sr ratio. The films were grown by off-axis cosputtering from individual targets of La_{0.67}Ca_{0.33}MnO_{3} (LCMO) and La_{0.67}Sr_{0.33}MnO_{3} (LSMO) onto (100) oriented NdGaO_{3} substrates. The films grow with a (100) orientation, with no other orientations observed by x-ray diffraction. For the alloy mixtures, the Curie temperature, T_C, varies slowly as the Ca/Sr is decreased, remaining $\approx$ 300 K, while for the LCMO and LSMO films T_C is 260 and 330 K, respectively. The Mn-O valence structure is composed of two dominant peaks, whose positions undergo a change as the Ca fraction is decreased. The core lines behave as linear combinations of lines from pure LCMO and LSMO.Comment: 3 pages, 5 eps figures. To be published in Journal of Applied Physics (Proceedings of MMM'98

Reexamining Citizenship: Best Practices of St. Louis Spanish Immersion Schools

Presentation made at Latinos in the Heartland (8th : 2010 : St. Louis, Mo.) and published in the annual conference proceedings.When introducing the concepts of citizenship in our schools, how an American citizen looks, speaks, and thinks is often presented in assumptions and stereotypes. As the demographics of the nation have shifted, these stereotypes sometimes remain the same and the new reality ignored. How can and should we teach our young children about citizenship? How are language immersion schools in particular developing global citizens? According to National Migration information, (Terrazas and Batalova 2008) in 2007, 22.9 percent of school-age children had at least one immigrant parent, 47.5 percent of which reported their background to be Hispanic or Latino. In this paper, we discuss two educational opportunities in the St. Louis area that build on the strengths of the Hispanic/Latino community and its primary language of Spanish. Casa de Niños is a preschool program built on the Montessori philosophy that primarily serves children through age 5. The St. Louis Language Immersion Schools, a nonprofit organization (http://sllis. org), is dedicated to supporting the development of a network of charter schools in the area. They are set to open a Spanish immersion school for K-1st grade in August 2009 and will be using the Primary Years International Baccalaureate program in order to promote "international mindedness" in their students (http://www.ibo.org). Specifically, SLLIS' mission is "to position all children for success in local and global economies through holistic, intellectually inspiring language immersion programs," in essence, to create global citizens. The central vision of these language immersion schools, then, is to provide both the opportunity to learn in another language and about other cultures and languages. This presentation will explain how these educational organizations work to develop language and citizenship capacities. In particular, we will explain in detail the planned service-learning community research project all SLLIS students will complete by the end of fifth grade. We will also provide best practices for addressing issues of culture and language in immersion settings designed for young children. Finally, we will discuss with the group the challenges and opportunities of designing these sorts of programs in areas of new immigration, such as many towns and small cities across the Midwest

Characterization of transport and magnetic properties in thin film La(0.67)(Ca(x)Sr(1-x))(0.33)MnO(3) mixtures

We have grown thin films of (100) oriented La_{0.67}(Ca_{x}Sr_{1-x})_{0.33}MnO_{3} on (100) NdGaO_{3} substrates by off-axis sputtering. We have looked at the changes in the resistivity and magnetoresistance of the samples as the Ca/Sr ratio was varied. We find that as the calcium fraction is decreased, the lattice match to the substrate decreases, and the films become more disordered, as observed in transport measurements and the variation in Curie and peak resistance temperatures. We find a correlation between the temperature independent and T^2 terms to the low temperature resistivity. The room temperature magnetoresistance exhibits a maximum as the peak temperature is increased by the substitution of Sr for Ca, and a change in the field dependence to the resistivity at room temperature is observed.Comment: 5 pages, 6 eps figures, to be published in Journal of Applied Physic